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Kalmar supplies 6 electric 400 kWh machines for operation in Guarujá, at the Port of Santos, marking an advance in diesel-free logistics in Brazil.
On April 28, 2026, Finnish manufacturer Kalmar Corporation confirmed an order for Brazil that stands out for its size and the technological shift involved: six electric empty container handlers will be sent to Lechman Terminais to operate in a container depot in Guarujá, near the Port of Santos, in the state of São Paulo. According to Kalmar’s official statement, the order was registered in the second quarter of 2026, with delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
The order involves electric equipment capable of stacking containers up to seven high and equipped with 400 kWh batteries, a capacity described by the manufacturer as sufficient to ensure operational continuity beyond a full work shift. The operation marks the first order for Kalmar’s new generation of electric empty container handlers in Latin America, reinforcing the entry of heavy electrification into a strategic area of Brazilian port logistics, where productivity, zero local emissions, and CO₂ reduction are beginning to compete with traditionally diesel-powered machines.
Large-scale electric equipment arrives at the Port of Santos, marking an advance in logistics electrification in Brazil
The arrival of this equipment represents more than a simple fleet upgrade. It is a movement aligned with a global trend of electrification of port operations, driven by environmental goals, energy efficiency, and long-term operational cost reduction.
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The acquired handlers are designed for empty containers, an essential stage of port logistics. This equipment is responsible for organizing, stacking, and redistributing containers within logistics yards, ensuring operational fluidity.
The main difference lies in replacing the diesel engine with a fully electric system, eliminating direct gas emissions and reducing operational noise, a relevant factor in areas close to urban zones.
In the case of the Port of Santos, this change occurs in one of the most critical environments for Brazilian logistics, responsible for a significant portion of the country’s exports and imports.
400 kWh batteries enable continuous operation and replace diesel machines in the yard
One of the most relevant aspects of the project is the energy capacity of the equipment. Each handler is equipped with approximately 400 kWh batteries, a volume comparable to that of heavy electric vehicles used in mining and industrial transport.
This level of capacity allows the machines to operate for long periods without frequent recharging, maintaining productivity similar to or even superior to diesel models.
Furthermore, electric systems offer important operational advantages, such as instant torque response, greater precision in movements, and reduced need for mechanical maintenance.
This means fewer stops, greater operational predictability, and reduced costs over time, decisive factors in high-intensity port environments.
Stacking capacity of up to seven high enhances space utilization efficiency at the terminal
Another technical highlight of the equipment is its stacking capacity. The machines can organize empty containers into stacks of up to seven units high, significantly increasing storage density in the yard.
This factor is crucial in port areas, where available space is limited and highly valued. The greater the stacking capacity, the greater the efficiency of area utilization and the less need for physical expansion.
The combination of electrification and high stacking capacity transforms these pieces of equipment into strategic assets for logistics terminals, especially in regions with high volumes of movement.
In the case of Guarujá, the operation is part of one of the country’s main logistics hubs, directly connected to the Port of Santos.
Transition to electric equipment follows global trend of emission reduction in ports
The replacement of diesel-powered machines with electric equipment is aligned with a global agenda for decarbonizing the logistics sector. Ports in different parts of the world are adopting similar technologies to reduce emissions and meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements.
Although Brazil is still in the initial stages of this process, projects like this indicate a gradual change in the profile of operations.
Port electrification does not completely eliminate emissions from the logistics chain, but it significantly reduces local pollution, especially in urban and densely populated areas.
Furthermore, the change contributes to corporate sustainability goals and can influence the international competitiveness of Brazilian ports.
Port of Santos concentrates strategic operations and increases pressure for technological modernization
The Port of Santos is the largest port complex in Latin America and plays a central role in Brazilian foreign trade. Its operation involves large volumes of containers, grains, fuels, and industrial cargo.
This scale imposes constant challenges in efficiency, infrastructure, and sustainability. The introduction of more modern equipment is one way to address these challenges.
The adoption of electric technology in critical operations indicates that modernization is no longer optional, but part of the competitiveness strategy, especially given the growing global demand for more efficient and less polluting logistics chains.
Kalmar equipment reinforces manufacturer’s global presence in the port sector
Kalmar, the manufacturer responsible for the equipment, is one of the world’s leading companies in providing cargo handling solutions. Headquartered in Finland, the company operates in ports, intermodal terminals, and industrial operations across various continents.
The supply to Brazil reinforces the company’s presence in Latin America and follows the trend of expanding electric technologies in emerging markets.
This type of contract also indicates that the country is beginning to enter the radar for investments in state-of-the-art equipment, following movements already observed in ports in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Project still depends on charging infrastructure and energy integration to achieve maximum performance
Despite the advantages, the operation of electric equipment on a large scale requires adequate infrastructure. This includes charging systems, energy management, and integration with the local electrical grid.
The full implementation of the project will depend on the terminal’s capacity to support this energy demand, ensuring that the machines operate without interruptions.
This is one of the main challenges of logistics electrification, especially in countries where electrical infrastructure still presents limitations in some regions. Nevertheless, the progress indicates that the sector is willing to face these barriers in exchange for operational and environmental gains.
Given this change, do you believe that Brazilian port logistics is ready to abandon diesel on a large scale, or will infrastructure still be the main obstacle to this transition in the coming years?
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